More Than a Little Story

Picture this: A teenage girl will get pregnant but she is still a virgin. When it's close to time for her Baby to be born, she will travel with her future husband to a small town where she will spend the night in a stable and have a Son who will turn out to be the Savior of the world. Not long after the Baby's birth, people will spontaneously start showing up to see Him-from society's elite to social outcasts.

Now, that's more than a little story.

Take the time right now to read the Christmas Story in Luke 2: 1-20.

Mary. Joseph. The shepherds. The wise men. Even though every one of them sounds like an unlikely character to be part of Jesus' birth, they each played a crucial role in the events of the Christmas story.  These individuals faced situations that caused fear and doubt, yet each one chose to fully obey God, even when it didn't make sense, and He used them in His plan to bring salvation to the world.

Let's look at Mary since she is the only girl in the story! Mary is a typical Jewish teenage girl (yes, a teenager) who lives in a small town with her parents. She is planning to get married to a local carpenter named Joseph and lead an ordinary life. But in the midst of a regular day, a single moment will shatter the normal routine of her existence.  Through an angel, Mary will be asked to surrender her life to God's plan to save humanity. This plan includes her becoming supernaturally pregnant with the Son of God so that He can enter human history. Regardless of the risks or costs involved, Mary must be willing to do what God asks of her with no assurance anyone except Him will ever understand. After wrestling with the consequences of her decision, Mary will be eager to be used by God and will make herself fully available to Him in spite of the shame, ridicule, and loneliness she will undoubtedly face. When Mary accepts what God asks her to do, she will do so with no guarantee Joseph will believe her.

Granted, God may never make an extreme request  of you like He did Mary. Yet, you have the same choice as Mary did that first Christmas: you can choose to trust God enough to allow His Son to come alive in your witness to those who are in need of Him. The story of Jesus' birth is YOUR story, told to you and for you. God is still writing His story in this world and He is calling YOU to be a part of it. While you may not understand everything God has planned for your life, you can know God has a purpose for you and will use you to accomplish His desire to bring salvation to the world.

My prayer is like Mary, you will say yes to God's calling on your life, whatever it may be, so that you can tell others about the greatest gift and story ever told. Allow God to accomplish great things through you!

Merry Christmas!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

Senior Spotlight~Michaela Grooms

This month's senior girl is...

Michaela Grooms

Michaela is a senior at Aiken High School. Her favorite verses are Philippians 4:6-7 and James 1:5.

1. What do you like to do in your spare time?

Listen to music, read and practice.

2. What are you asking for Christmas?

For my family and friends to be safe and healthy. Not to get sick over Christmas and of course Technology.

3. How has God impacted your life?

God has impacted my life by allowing me to play an instrument and using it for His Glory.

4. What is your favorite thing about being a senior?

Graduating

5. Summer or Winter?

I love them both!

The next time you see Michaela, make sure to say hello!

Thanks Michaela!

Loving Jesus together,

Morgan

DIY Christmas Ornaments

For this week's Christmas Gifts on a budget, I am going to give you some ideas to make using cheap Christmas ornaments. All of these are super easy that even the non-crafter can do! All the materials are inexpensive and you can find at Walmart, Target or Hobby Lobby! Many of the ornaments come in packs which is great! 

1. Santa Ornament

For these cute Santas, you need clear ornaments, red construction paper and black and white paint. Fill the ornament with curled construction paper (wrap around your finger to curl) then paint a belt on the outside! Simple and cute!

2. Pearls

For your girly girl friends, get a clear ornament and fill with pearls! Tie a bow on top! Love this!

3. Feathers

Fill a clear ornament with feathers! You can choose certain colors or fill with a rainbow of colors! Beautiful!

4. Memories

This one is great and perfect for your best friends. Take any color ornament and write all the memories, jokes, verses, etc. shared by your friends with a sharpie! How easy and personable! 

Hope this inspires you to be creative with your gifts!

Loving Jesus together,

Morgan

Christmas Gifts Under $10.00

December 1st! Can you believe it? For the month of December, I will be posting some awesome gifts you can give your friends and/or family for Christmas this year and they will all be at a cheap price! Today, I am going to give some suggestions of great gifts that are all under $10! You can't beat that! I also found all of these items at my favorite store, TARGET! 

1. A signable picture frame

This great gift is only $7.99. If you buy a frame with a white matt, you can decorate the matt with memories of you and your friend or family member, as well as funny inside jokes, or bible verses! A cheap way to be creative!

2. Scarf and Flip Top Gloves

This set is only $10.00 and perfect for those cold mornings on the way to school.

3. Nail Polish

Nail polish is wonderful and comes in every color imaginable! This bottle is made by Essie and is only $7.79. The color is called "Glamour Purse" and perfect for fall or winter!

4. Stationary

Everybody needs at least one set of thank you notes for the Christmas gifts you get! These are super cute and bright! Only $3.99, wow!

5. Funky Socks

Who doesn't love funky socks! These come in all different styles where you can mix and match with every one! $5.00 

6. Wristlet

Who wouldn't love a wristlet with a flower on the front??? I love everything about this and I know your friends would too! This is only $9.99!

Hope this gives you some great gift ideas for people on your list (or even yourself!) Check back next week for another list!

Loving Jesus together,

Morgan